California Gubernatorial Candidates Clash Over Proposed Mileage Tax
With days left until Election Day, a debate over how to fund road repairs has emerged, with estimates suggesting drivers could face an additional $1,000 annually under one model.
By Lucia Orlov ·
Days before California voters head to the polls, a dispute over a potential vehicle-miles-traveled tax has intensified. The proposal aims to generate revenue for road maintenance as electric vehicles increasingly reduce state gas tax collections.
Democratic candidate for governor Xavier Becerra indicated in a recent interview with KCRA 3 that he is open to considering the fee. "Everything should be on the table," Becerra said when asked if he would support a mileage tax. He acknowledged that roads require funding, noting that while he does not want to tax residents more than necessary, the costs must be covered.
Republican candidate Steve Hilton opposed the idea, arguing that the current fuel mix does not justify the change. Hilton told FOX 11 that 93 percent of cars and trucks on California roads still run on gas or diesel. "So it's just not correct to say that this is some problem, mileage tax solution right now," Hilton stated. He described the proposal as an endless series of tax increases on top of what California already has.
According to data cited by Republican state lawmakers, previous studies of such a system estimated drivers would pay between 6 and 9 cents per mile. That rate would translate to roughly $1,000 in new annual taxes for the average driver.
The legislative effort behind the concept traces back to a 2014 study bill. Assemblywoman Lori Wilson, a Democrat who has endorsed Becerra, noted in a February interview that her current proposal, AB 1421, continues that earlier work. Wilson’s bill focuses on studying a mileage-based fee system to address projected losses in gas tax revenue.
Kate Gordon, CEO of California Forward, suggested that alternative funding mechanisms exist. Gordon pointed to the wear and tear caused by heavy-duty trucks, which she said creates the most damage to road surfaces. She argued that the state must find new avenues to pay for aging infrastructure, potentially through taxes on heavier vehicles.
A spokesperson for Becerra’s campaign clarified the candidate’s position in a statement. The representative said Becerra has not proposed a mileage tax and that working families already pay their share. The statement added that under Becerra, billionaires would also pay their fair share.
Source: KTTV
